Design Resource
Resonances of Nagaland
Tribal Culture
by
People and Place
There are 16 tribes and separate sub tribes but the main ones are Konyak, Kachari, Zeliang (Zema & Laingmai), Yimchungru, Kuki, Ao, Sangtam, Phom, Chang, Pochury, Rengma, Angami, Chakhesang, Lotha, Khiamniungan and Sumi. In different tribes the elders pass on the customs and traditions to the next generation through dances, music, folktales and oral tradition. The wooden log drum is one of the main symbols of their togetherness, which their tribe beats together and creates the sound of harmony. In ancient days the log drum was used to pass messages through beating and creating different tempos known only to the villages. People are very humble and joyous and love to cook in a grand manner. Their feast is incomplete without meat, pork and rice beer. They believe that the man who did not touch the meat was believed less capable of fathering a child. Salt loving, semi wild mithun yielding is the most preferred meat also pork is one of the most important for the Naga tribe. They say a kitchen without meat is considered as taboo because it reflects an uncaring community also which portion of meat is given to whom is of significance.
